Bur Mallow

Urena lobata subsp. sinuata

Native to:
Andaman Is., Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cayman Is., Christmas I., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Japan, Jawa, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Leeward Is., Madagascar, Malaya, Nansei-shoto, Nicobar Is., Panamá, Puerto Rico, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Venezuelan Antilles, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Malvaceae
Genus:
Urena
Species:
Urena lobata subsp. sinuata
USDA Symbol:
URSI

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Subshrub
Height:
300 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
Bloom Colors:
pink, lavender

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Yellow scallop moth (Anomis erosa)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
butterflies, bees

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
adapted to disturbed areas and open fields

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Hard seed coat benefits from scarification or hot water treatment before sowing.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI